Grenada Attractions – Gouyave and surrounding – Spice of Grenadian life
The center of Grenada’s nutmeg industry is the west coast town of Gouyave, about 6 miles north of St George’s. Gouyave is a ramshackle one-street fishing community, populated by as many goats as people.
Nutmeg Processing Station
Gouyave has a pungent Nutmeg Processing Stations, where visitors can see the grading drying and packing process.
Dougaldstone Spice Estate
Just before Gouyave, down a dirt track, is the crumbling Dougaldston Spice Estate, once a prosperous nutmeg plantation but now fallen on hard times. Small bags of nutmeg, cinnamon or cloves are on sale here for a few dollars.
Sauteurs
From Gouyave, the road follows the coast northwards, providing spectacular sea views, before turning inland through several poor villages to the small north-coast town of Sauteurs. The French name recalls a grisly moment in Grenada’s colonial past when French forces surrounded the last community of indigenous Caribs in 1651. Rather than surrender, the 40 Caribs jumped from the 100 ft cliff into the sea below. On the promontory by St Patrick’s church, there you can peer down onto the rocks and spray
Levera National Park
A rough road leads eastwards out of Sauteurs to the Levera National Park, a wild and varied area of scrubland, mangrove and palm-lined beach.
Morne Fendue Plantation House
The main road south of Sauteurs takes you to the Morne Fendue Plantation House, a gray stone house that looks like a Derbyshire vicarage. Here for a reasonable price, the veteran owner, Betty Mascoll, will provide a traditional Grenadian lunch of pepperpot. Complete with rum punches. It is essential to phone in advance.
River Antoine Rum Distillery
Heading south through Mount Rose village there is a turn-off to the River Antoine Rum Distillery, where guided tours demonstrate 18th century rum distilling techniques based on a water-powered cane crusher.
Lake Antoine
From the distillery, it is a short drive to Lake Antoine, a lonely crater lake teeming with birdlife.